Vancouver has, since 2010, been in the spotlight on the global sports scene. The city hosted the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, saw the Canucks make a run to the Stanley Cup Finals and launched the inaugural Whitecaps FC MLS season.

Paul Barber, chief executive officer and Kim Jackman, vice president brand and partnerships from Vancouver Whitecaps FC will discuss how the club has managed its brand in a changing landscape – successfully marketing and selling a product amongst several unknowns.

Speaker: Paul Barber
CEO, Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Paul Barber joined Whitecaps FC in March 2010 from Tottenham Hotspur Football Club of the English Premier League. As Vancouver Whitecaps FC chief executive officer, Barber joins President Bob Lenarduzzi and chief operating officer Rachel Lewis in heading up the Whitecaps FC executive team, as the club enters their inaugural season in Major League Soccer (MLS). Barber is the primary representative within the club for the Vancouver Whitecaps FC ownership group.

Barber brings world-class experience and leadership to Whitecaps FC business and soccer operations, having spent five years as executive director of Tottenham Hotspur FC. A former commercial and marketing director of The Football Association in England, Barber was responsible for developing programs for marketing, communications, and commercial affairs, including broadcast rights of the England national team and The FA Cup – the largest domestic knock-out cup competition in world soccer.

Barber’s international soccer experience includes being a member of the England national team’s official party that travelled to Japan and Korea for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, and to the 2000 UEFA European Championship in Belgium and Holland.

Speaker: Kim JackmanVice-President, Brand and Partnerships

Kim brings over 12 years of marketing experience to the club. Prior to joining Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Kim practiced client services and strategy at RMG Connect and Ogilvy & Mather, where she worked with a wide range of local and Fortune 500 clients including LifeScan, a Johnson & Johnson Company, Telus Communications, Intrawest, BC Hydro, Mountain Equipment Co-op, and VanCity Savings. Kim holds a BA (honours) from McGill University.

Jackman is thrilled at the opportunity to combine her professional skill set with her love of sport and is actively involved in ice hockey, skiing and running.